Just been listening to a podcast of Mike Parry and Simon Jordan (former Crystal Palace owner) on talksport in the last week.
Simon Jordan states he was responsible for The Specials reforming after getting the band to discuss a re union and the first gig was for his 40th birthday party (with a substantial cash incentive).

A couple of interesting points in that article. 1) Horace and Lynval both managed by Terry's manager and 2) the quote that Jerry thinks the real test will come if or when another album is ever made. Well that obviously never materialized.

So, was it all worth it? Was the reformation a success, should it have happened with Jerry or not happened at all? I, like many, really enjoyed probably from 2009 up to Ally Pally, after which it all sadly started to fall apart. Yes I would have preferred Jerry to have been a part of it but would it have had the same energy?? Maybe more so. The chance to have had some new recordings would have been great and a missed opportunity but then again would they even have made it to 2012? Unlikely. We had what we had and I enjoyed it but it could have been so much more for us and them. We'll never know.

Posted:
Mon Jan 29, 2018 2:29 pm

bluearmy78Ska Face

Joined: 20 Dec 2012Posts: 190
Location: England

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It was never really The Specials without Jerry. He was the driving force behind 2 tone. The one person who needed to be in the band. As much as Terry may have fronted the group, l really think he has been the problem from day one. People say what a nice bloke he is, but lm not so sure when it comes to band stuff. Think he has always been the one to throw his toys out of the pram, back in the day, and with the reformation. Good fronting the group, but not a person l have ever particularly liked._________________The past is our knowledge, the present our mistake and the future we always leave too late.

Posted:
Mon Jan 29, 2018 3:13 pm

TrojanToo Hot

Joined: 25 Aug 2002Posts: 2322
Location: Area 3

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Alarm bells should have been ringing when it became clear that Jerry was not going to be involved. He clearly stated that he wanted the band to carry on where they had left off. As for the rest of the band….well it’s clear to see now they really didn’t have a plan, apart from milking the band’s name and two albums worth of material to death. Look what it’s become now: a mockery to the name ‘The Specials’. A cash cow that should have been put out of its misery years ago._________________Richard Eddington is innocent.

Alarm bells should have been ringing when it became clear that Jerry was not going to be involved.

It was destined to turn out badly without Jerry. Over half the band were involved in the 90s reformation and 'Today's Specials' which was an embarrassment to the name of The Specials so there was no way those particular members could be trusted. Terry meanwhile was often very negative when talking about the band in interviews down the years so you had to question his real reason for being involved. I really wish they never reformed. I feel generally there's a time and a place for bands and the late 70s/early 80s was the time for The Specials.

Posted:
Thu Feb 01, 2018 9:07 am

TrojanToo Hot

Joined: 25 Aug 2002Posts: 2322
Location: Area 3

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I believe some bands are just destined for a short life span. ‘The flame that burns twice as bright burns half as long’ and all that. This was most certainly true of The Specials._________________Richard Eddington is innocent.